Hi, healthy food lovers!
As some of you might know, I’m Bengi, the regional manager of Ruba. I’m also an amateur bodybuilder, and I’ve been on this exciting journey for 2.5 years now. Last year, I competed for the first time and won all my classes—it was an unforgettable moment! Right now, I’m working hard to earn my professional title in the IFBB Pro League, and Ruba has been such a great support system for me along the way.
As a bodybuilder, food plays a crucial role in everything I do. It’s essential for building and repairing muscles, providing energy, and supporting overall health. For those unfamiliar with bodybuilding, we need to eat a lot more food than most people to gain muscle and be competitive on stage. Of course, how much you need depends on your body and goals. But it’s not just about eating more—it’s about eating right. High-quality, nutritious food is just as important as quantity.
Combining My Passions at Ruba
Working at Ruba lets me combine my love for bodybuilding with my passion for good nutrition. From fresh vegetables delivered daily to lean proteins and healthy fats, Ruba offers everything I need to stay on track with my diet. When we create the menu, we focus on whole foods, balanced meals, and making sure customers get a good mix of protein, carbs, and fats with every bowl.
When I’m not in competition prep, which requires a super strict diet, Ruba bowls are my favorite off-plan meals. They’re wholesome, delicious, and satisfy my cravings without making me feel like I’m straying too far from my goals. During prep, every calorie counts, so I cook my meals at home—but even then, I use the healthy cooking techniques I’ve learned at Ruba.
Exploring Food and Growing at Ruba
I wasn’t always a confident cook. When I moved to Belgium, I had to learn how to prepare my meals, and Ruba taught me so much about healthy cooking. Over time, I found myself applying those skills at home. Ruba has also helped me grow in other ways—improving my leadership and management skills in my first-ever full-time job.
As a picky eater, I’ve also come a long way. Working at Ruba has opened me up to trying new ingredients. Fun fact: I never liked red meat, but now I love steak! The same goes for tofu. Being surrounded by nutritious ingredients makes it easy to create meals that align with my protein-rich diet. And during the off-season, I can even enjoy treats like our popular Sweet Chili dressing without sacrificing my macros.
My go-to carb source: Rice
My favorite protein: Chicken or steak
My preferred fats: Cashew nuts or avocado
Top veggies: Broccoli and cherry tomatoes
If you ask the staff, they’ll tell you they’ve seen me with chicken and rice more times than they can count! Bodybuilding is an extreme sport—it’s not for everyone. But I choose this path, and I know how to keep a balance. The team at Ruba has always supported me, both in and out of competition prep, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
More Than Just a Job
Ruba has been a blessing in so many ways. It’s not just my workplace—it’s been my safe space since I moved to Belgium at 21, figuring out life in a new country. I’ve spent more time at Ruba than I ever did at university (oops!), and it’s truly become like a second family.
I love seeing our customers enjoy the delicious bowls we create, and it brings me so much joy to be part of this journey. I hope to keep putting smiles on their faces for years to come.
Curious about my favorite off-plan Ruba bowl? Check out our Instagram page to find out!
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